Aerial Mandala-like Vegetation Formation in Japan
Aerial view of a striking, mandala-like vegetation pattern with concentric green rings around a circular core in Japan.

The Mysterious Forest Circles of Miyazaki

I didn’t happen across these strange circles of trees while soaring over the Japanese landscape but, like many curious folk, I found them on social networks. As these always show the same photos, I decided to check them out with my very own aerial sensors.

Come under my catwings, and we’re off to Kyushu, Miyazaki Prefecture! More accurately to the relatively pretty town of Nichinan. From there, a semi-abandoned track straddles a thickly forested mountainside. A good half hour later, a weathered sign appears. It seems to indicate the centre of one of those agricultural curiosities!

Ha, waddya mean agro what? So a crop circle is an unexpected artificial pattern. You might remember those found in fields in the United States that were attributed to paranormal phenomena, such as spacecraft landing. When in truth it was me! They’re fools anyway (me too).

My drone, freed, flies up to the heights. These images come straight back. Trees, Miyazaki, Japan, meow & curiosity: after smoking a few too many buds I’m wired to imagine these circles are Totoro launch sites! The reality is more mundane: the forest was established in 1973 by the local forestry agency to test plantation growth.

Japan Cycle Tree
Japan Cycle Tree

Seven hundred and twenty trees were planted in a sequence of concentric circles, starting with a central small area and gradually increasing the radial increments to form larger circles, ten trees deep. The objective was to study the effects of forest density on the growth of a local type of wood: Obi cedar (飫肥(おび)杉).

Japan Cycle Tree
Japan Cycle Tree

Fifty years later, the result surpassed the researchers’ expectations when the first drone photos were available! The forest was supposed to be felled in 2011, but as there’s still no exact explanation for the phenomenon, the experiment is extended until 2023.

Japan Cycle Tree
Japan Cycle Tree

I’m counting on the most curious among you to answer these questions in the comments: Why is this formation surprising? Do you know of other similar experiments? And finally, how might Miyazaki use this forest for tourism?

And for more awesome content about Japan, follow Jordy Meow on Instagram ! 🎵

Who Am I

Jordy Meow
This is me!

I am Jordy Meow, a French photographer based in Tokyo. I explore offbeat places in Japan.

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Rust cliffs kiss the sea, Turquoise whispers secrets deep— Nature's vivid brush. 崖が海と キスをしながら蒼き 自然の筆。 #offbeatjapan #japan #coastallandscapes #volcanicisland #naturelovers #stunningviews #wanderlust #cliffside
Rust embraces gray tones, Moss dances in vivid green— Nature's quiet claim.錆びた灰色に抱かれ 苔が鮮やかに踊る 自然の静かなる主張#offbeatjapan #japan #industrialart #rustandruin #naturewins #urbanexploration #mossybeauty
Concrete gray fortress Amidst the blue sea's embrace— Silent echoes speak. コンクリートの城 青い海の抱擁の中で— 静かな声が響く。 #Gunkanjima #HashimaIsland #BattleshipIsland #Nagasaki #Urbex #offbeatjapan #japan
Ancient coaster sleeps, Twilight whispers pinks and blues, Nature reclaims all. 崩れたコースターが眠る、 薄桃色と青の夜明けのささやき、 自然が全てを取り戻す。 #offbeatjapan #japan #abandonedplaces #rollercoaster #twilightbeauty #nostalgia #naturestriumph #forgottenamusement
Pink blossoms whisper, Quiet streets cradle old tales, Sky and mountains dream.桃の花囁く、 静かな道に古い物語を抱え、 空と山は夢見る。#cherryblossoms #japanesetradition #countrysidecharm #historicaljapan #sakura #offbeatjapan #japan
Dust veils whispered past, Ghostly echoes cradle dreams, Where silence presides.静寂の中で、 囁かれた夢は、 埃に包まれる。#offbeatjapan #japan #urbandecay #abandonedplaces #hauntingbeauty #forgottenworlds #silenthalls #explorejapan
Yellow noren glow, In a calm, verdant alley— Silent history.---黄色の暖簾、 静かな緑の小路に— 静寂の歴史。---#japanesehistory #traditionaljapan #serenealley #historicdistrict #japanesearchitecture #offbeatjapan #japan
Moss whispers secrets, Autumn leaves paint quiet dreams— Water sighs with light. 苔が秘密を囁く 秋の葉が静かな夢を描く 光とともに水がため息をつく #satoyama #woodlandwonder #serenejapan #waterfallmagic #naturepoetry #offbeatjapan #japan